It concerns me when board of education members fail to accept middle school standards based the nationally recognized Next Generation Science Standards, preferring to teach “beliefs” instead.

Their argument is that we are teaching theories not facts. The “facts” as we know them are based on years and years of research and validation. As science improves, facts may change based on new knowledge and understandings. But to reject current consensus on science puts us at an extreme disadvantage in developing our children to compete in a world becoming ever increasingly technical.

Many of the jobs of the future, and the robustness of Utah’s economy, will be based on Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), which is a main initiative among Utah high schools. So why put our middle schoolers behind the eight ball?

Michael Feldman, PhD, Murray